Mark Cavendish to ride in first Abu Dhabi to Al Ain Classic

DUBAI: British cycling legend and former road world champion, Mark Cavendish, will compete in the first edition of the Abu Dhabi to Al Ain Classic – the first of its kind in the UAE, state news agency WAM have reported. There will be 200 riders competing in the 180km event, which begins in Abu Dhabi on Sunday, Dec. 3, 2017.
Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Cycling Club, Mugheer Khamis Al-Khaili said: “We are delighted that Abu Dhabi Cycling Club’s first event will be the Abu Dhabi – Al Ain Classic. Our riders are excited to compete alongside some of the best in the world and it’s a fantastic development for cycling in the UAE. The course will provide everyone with a unique challenge between both cities.”
Cavendish, who has won 30 Tour de France stages in his career, is the event ambassador and will be one of several international riders in the peloton, working its way from Abu Dhabi to the Garden City of Al Ain.
“I’m really looking forward to playing a part in the first Abu Dhabi to Al Ain Classic,” Cavendish said, adding: “The event is a fantastic new initiative within cycling and it’s a privilege to be involved.”
Aref Hamad Al-Awani, general secretary of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, described the event as a “significant new race.”
“Not only will it bring internationally recognized athletes to compete in Abu Dhabi, but also provide a development platform for our own riders and particularly Abu Dhabi Cycling Club. We’re delighted that the event will be hosted by Mark Cavendish, who is a great ambassador for both his sport and our emirate.”
While the Classic is an invitation-only event – with only 200 places, there is also the Daman ActiveLife Family Cycling Festival which is open to the public.
The festival aims to inspire people of all ages and fitness levels to lead active and healthy lifestyles.

Enable sets her sights on historic Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe hat-trick

Prince Khalid Abdullah-owned filly out to become first horse to win three Arcs.

Enable has already become the first horse to win the Arc and Breeders Cup Turf in the same season.

Updated 19 November 2018

November 19, 2018 21:34

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LONDON: It has been confirmed that Enable will bid to make history when the star filly aims to become the first horse to win three Prix de l’Arc de Triomphes.
The Prince Khalid Abdullah-owned four-year-old made it back-to-back Arc wins last month, before going on to become the first horse to win the Breeders Cup Turf in the same season. After that victory in the US the team refused to say whether Enable would remain in training as a five-year-old and seek out an unprecedented Arc hat-trick.
But having mulled over all the pros and cons, Teddy Grimthorpe has revealed that the star horse would hope to win Europe’s most prestigious race for an historic third time.
“We are pleased to announce that dual Arc winner and recent Breeders’ Cup heroine Enable will stay in training for 2019,” Grimthorpe, racing manager to Prince Khalid Abdullah, said in a statement. “A third Arc will be her main target.”
Trained by John Gosdon, Enable became the eighth twice winner of the Arc at Longchamp last month, and she will now attempt to succeed where the previous seven have failed.
The fact that Enable is in a position to try to make history has come of a bit of a surprise. She missed much of this season having suffered an injury in the spring. But wins at Kempton Park, the Arc and then the Breeders’ Cup Turf at Churchill Downs in Kentucky have extended her winning run to nine races. AN